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This Cheesy Potato Casserole is creamy, comforting, and always the first empty dish at potlucks. Tender hash brown potatoes bake in a rich, tangy sauce with sharp cheddar and a buttery, crunchy topping. It’s easy, feeds a crowd, and pairs perfectly with holiday ham, roast turkey, or weeknight grilled chicken.
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I made this recipe and the family loved it. It was so delicious. I will make it again” – Crystal
“I love this recipe because everyone in my family loves it. It’s a dish they will eat without complaining. I have 2 granddaughters, my grandson, and my great-grandson; they are all the pickiest eaters on the planet. I thank you for a recipe that they all like.” – Katherine
“This is so easy to make and I always get great praise from my guests. I make this at special occasions and everyone wants the recipe.” – Donna
My Favorite Potato Side Dish
I grew up seeing Cheesy Potato Casserole on every holiday table. It’s my go-to side for Easter dinner with ham, but I also bring it to church potlucks and family gatherings because it never fails. The potatoes turn out tender, the sauce is extra creamy from sour cream and melted butter, and the golden topping adds the best crunch.. There are dozens of variations to this recipe, but this one has been a family favorite of ours for generations.
We make this cheesy potatoes recipe every year for our Easter dinner as it goes perfectly with Honey Baked Ham and all the trimmings. This casserole is also a perfect side dish at Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a nice Sunday dinner. No matter what you serve it with or where you serve it, you’ll absolutely love this cheesy potato recipe.
🩷 Emily
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Hash brown potatoes – Frozen shredded hash browns, thawed so they mix evenly and bake tender.
- Cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar for bold cheesy flavor that stands out in the creamy sauce. For best texture shred the cheese yourself from a block.
- Creamy sauce – sour cream, cream of chicken soup, butter, and milk.
- Spices – Salt and black pepper to taste.
- Crunchy topping – Crushed cornflakes for a golden, buttery crunch.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Onion options: Stir in finely diced onion or grate it for flavor without the crunch. Green onions or chives on top are great too.
- Protein mix-ins: Cubed ham, crisp bacon, or diced cooked chicken turn this into a hearty main.
- Veggies: Broccoli florets, diced bell peppers, or peas add color and texture.
- Soup swap: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a different flavor profile.
- Topping substitutes: Use crushed potato chips, Ritz crackers, panko, or another plain cereal if you don’t have cornflakes.
- Potato swap: Use 6 to 8 medium fresh potatoes, peeled and diced or shredded. Par-cook until just tender, then proceed with the recipe.
How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Heat oven to 350°F and grease baking dish. Combine thawed hash browns, shredded cheddar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Warm the sauce in a saucepan by melting butter with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
- Stir the warm sauce into the potato mixture until evenly coated.
- Transfer to the baking dish, smooth the top.
- Sprinkle with crushed cornflakes. Drizzle a little melted butter over the topping if desired.
- Bake for about 60 minutes until bubbling at the edges and the top is golden and crisp. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Thaw first so the potatoes cook evenly and the sauce doesn’t seize.
- Warm the sauce to help it coat the potatoes smoothly and melt the cheese in the mix.
- Use sharp cheddar for the best cheesy flavor without needing extra salt.
- Crush topping lightly so you get a mix of small flakes and bigger bits for better crunch.
- Let it rest 10 minutes after baking. It sets up and slices cleaner.
- Crowd size: Double the recipe for a full sheet pan. Bake a bit longer until bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.
Cheesy potato casserole uses shredded cheese and hash browns or diced potatoes. Scalloped potatoes are sliced and use a cheese sauce made with heavy cream and a flour and butter roux.
Yes, either type of hash brown works great!
Add the topping right before baking and avoid covering during baking. For extra crunch, broil 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Yes, just use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup. Campbell’s makes a really good GF version. Then use gluten-free crackers, potato chips, or a gf corn flake cereal (without malt) for the topping.
Bake at 325°F convection for 45 to 55 minutes. Check early and pull when the top is golden and the center is hot.
Yes! Cook on low 4 to 5 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours until hot. Add the crunchy topping just before serving.
Aim for 165°F in the center. The edges should be bubbling and the top golden.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make ahead Assemble everything in a baking dish but the topping up to 1 day in advance. Then bring the casserole to room temperature, add the topping, and bake.
Fridge Cover leftovers and refrigerate 3 to 4 days.
Reheat Bake covered at 325°F until hot, then uncover 5 to 10 minutes to re-crisp.
Freeze Up to 2 months unbaked without topping, or freeze baked leftovers in portions.
More Perfect Potato Recipes
Hailing from Idaho, we know a thing or two about good potato recipes, besides these easy Cheesy Potatoes. Try a few of our very favorites!
- Parmesan Baked Potato Halves
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Creamed Potatoes and Peas
- Slow Cooker Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham
- All Our Favorite Potato Recipes
If you need a reliable, crowd-pleasing side, this Cheesy Potato Casserole is it. It’s simple, comforting, and always a hit. If you make it, please leave a star rating and a comment. I love hearing your variations and tips. 💛
Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
- 3 teaspoons salt
- pepper, to taste
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup butter, (1 stick)
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups corn flakes, crushed
- melted butter, (to taste for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix hash browns, cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Heat butter, soup, sour cream, and milk in a saucepan until butter is melted.
- Stir heated sauce into hash browns.
- Pour mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Top with corn flakes and a little melted butter.
- Bake for 1 hour until golden and bubbly.
Equipment
- Conventional Oven
- 9 X 13 inch Pan
Notes
- Thaw potatoes so the casserole bakes evenly.
- Warm the sauce before mixing for the creamiest texture.
- Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor.
- Top just before baking to keep cornflakes crisp.
- Rest 10 minutes after baking so it sets and serves neatly.
- Make ahead Assemble without topping and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add topping and bake.
- Topping swaps Potato chips, Ritz, panko, or other plain cereal work well.
- Mix-ins: Onion, ham, bacon, chicken, or broccoli are all delicious.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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this recipe was creamy and totally delicious
The perfect amount of cheese and potatoes! Even the younger kids loved this one! Easy to make and is a great side dish for a family. I may add ham into it next time I make it as someone mentioned they did.
Yes, ham is my favorite addition to this casserole!
Have made this for years now I get to see my children and adult grandchildren make it as well. Fun to see variations they make
Love this recipe! I have never seen anyone turn away on enjoying this dish! It is so yummy. I count it as a true family favorite for special occasions as well as anytime we want it!
The Cheesy Potato Casserole is an absolute hit at our home! We tried it with potato chips on the top and onions in the casserole and everyone loved it! This casserole is so easy to make using the frozen hash browns. The recipe will now reside in my recipe box and has become a family favorite! In fact, I believe it will now take center stage at all our family celebrations. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!!
This is so easy to make and I always get great praise from my guests. I make this at special occasions and everyone wants the recipe.
This creamy cheesy potato recipe is a one pot wonder! Everyone will enjoy the tender, tasty, creamy, cheesy casserole with a crunchy topping. This dish is so simple to prepare and will be a favorite of everyone!
It is certainly My favorite!
Tried this recipe and my family loved it. It is now in my recipe box.
5 Stars: I love potatoes done in any fashion, but this casserole is sooooo good.
I love this recipe because of flavors in it and that it was so easy to throw together!
I love anything potatoes and this is absolutely delicious I will be eating this alot
Love cheese & potatoes – any way
This is great!
This is always a hit at our Easter meal. I add the onions and ham. Everyone loves it.
Great for holidays, I make it year round. Fast and delicious everyone loves it.
Love this dish. I make it the night before and just stick it in the oven for an hour. Always a hit
Looks simple enough
This sounds absolutely scrumptious. I like how a person could add something favorite or ? I appreciate the detailed directions to follow. Can’t wait to make it for the family. Thank you! HAPPY BLESSED EASTER
This is amazing
Everyone loves these delicious potatoes! They whip up fast with the ease of using frozen potatoes.
Very easy and very good